A Life and an Era Through the Perspective of Fatima Gabitova’s Literary Works

Abstract

Fatima Gabitova is an underappreciated figure in the history of Kazakh literature. Her name is often associated with her husbands. She was the wife of three prominent figures in Kazakh literature— Bilial Suleev, Il’ias Dzhansugurov, and Mukhtar Auezov —and was referred to as their muse. Gabitova, whose literary talents were overshadowed by the political repression of the Stalin era, gained greater recognition after Kazakhstan’s independence. Following independence, two books were published in her name, and numerous articles have been written about her. She is recognized as a literary figure in her own right for her lyrical poetry, literary articles, artistic translations, letters, diaries, and memoirs. One of Fatima Gabitova’s most significant contributions to Kazakh literature was her preservation of the literary heritage, archive, and manuscripts of her husband, Ilyas Jansugirov, despite political repression, ensuring their transmission to future generations. She ensured that this legacy was passed down to future generations. In addition, her diaries and memoirs provide valuable insights into the literary milieu and prominent literary figures of the 1920s and 1930s. In these writings, she offers detailed information about many influential individuals, including Ahmet Baytursinov, Saken Seyfullin, Beyimbet Maylin, and Oraz Dzhandosov, as well as her husbands— Bilial Suleev, Il’ias Dzhansugurov, and Mukhtar Auezov. Another important aspect of these diaries and memoirs is that they offer a window into the terror of Stalinism and shed light on the events of the period. In her poems, she also describes her own life. The primary themes of her poetry include family issues, her children, her painful life, and the period of political repression under Stalin. This study examines Gabitova’s life, literary personality, and the realities of life reflected in her works through the perspective of her literary heritage.